The Canary Islands’ Health Ministry is reporting that the number of flu cases reported last week was double that of the week before.
A spokesman warned that with 198 cases per 100,000 head of population, the outbreak has reached epidemic proportions.
With such a dramatic increase in the number of reported cases over such a short period doctors say they expect further increases in reported cases over the next three to four weeks as the outbreak peaks.
The flu strain has been identified as H3, considered, for the most part, not to be life-threatening.
However, there have been six cases to date which have required hospitalisation, three children aged under-five, all of whom have now been discharged, as well as three adults who remain in hospital because of pre-existing risk factors.
Doctors stress that vaccination is the most effective way to ward off the virus, particularly for those most at risk, the elderly, pregnant women and others with illnesses, which put them at risk.
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